HP Envy 15-1050 User manual

HP Envy 15 User Guide

© Copyright 2009 Hewlett-Packard
Development Company, L.P.
Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Bluetooth is a trademark owned by its
proprietor and used by Hewlett-Packard
Company under license. SD Logo is a
trademark of its proprietor.
The information contained herein is subject
to change without notice. The only
warranties for HP products and services are
set forth in the express warranty statements
accompanying such products and services.
Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting an additional warranty. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors
or omissions contained herein.
First Edition: September 2009
Document Part Number: 572050-001
Product notice
This user guide describes features that are
common to most models. Some features
may not be available on your computer.

Safety warning notice
WARNING! To reduce the possibility of heat-related injuries or of overheating the computer, do not
place the computer directly on your lap or obstruct the computer air vents. Use the computer only on a
hard, flat surface. Do not allow another hard surface, such as an adjoining optional printer, or a soft
surface, such as pillows or rugs or clothing, to block airflow. Also, do not allow the AC adapter to contact
the skin or a soft surface, such as pillows or rugs or clothing, during operation. The computer and the
AC adapter comply with the user-accessible surface temperature limits defined by the International
Standard for Safety of Information Technology Equipment (IEC 60950).
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iv Safety warning notice

Table of contents
1 Notebook tour
Identifying hardware ............................................................................................................................. 1
Components ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Top components .................................................................................................................. 2
TouchPad ............................................................................................................ 2
TouchPad buttons ............................................................................................... 2
Lights ................................................................................................................... 3
Button ................................................................................................................. 4
Keys .................................................................................................................... 5
Front components ................................................................................................................ 6
Right-side components ........................................................................................................ 6
Left-side components .......................................................................................................... 7
Bottom components ............................................................................................................. 8
Display components ............................................................................................................ 9
Wireless antennas ............................................................................................................... 9
Additional hardware components ...................................................................................... 10
Labels ................................................................................................................................................. 11
2 Using Instant On Software (select models only)
3 Wireless and local area network
Using wireless devices ....................................................................................................................... 13
Identifying wireless and network status icons .................................................................... 13
Using the wireless controls ................................................................................................ 14
Using the wireless key ....................................................................................................... 14
Using Wireless Assistant software ..................................................................................... 15
Using operating system controls ........................................................................................ 15
Using a WLAN .................................................................................................................................... 16
Setting up a WLAN ............................................................................................................ 16
Protecting your WLAN ....................................................................................................... 16
Connecting to a WLAN ...................................................................................................... 17
Roaming to another network .............................................................................................. 18
Using Bluetooth wireless devices ....................................................................................................... 19
Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) ............................................................. 19
Troubleshooting wireless connection problems ................................................................................. 20
Cannot connect to a preferred network ............................................................................. 20
Network icon for WLAN is not displayed ............................................................................ 20
Current WLAN network security codes are unavailable .................................................... 20
WLAN connection is very weak ......................................................................................... 21
v

Cannot connect to the wireless router ............................................................................... 21
Connecting to a local area network (LAN) .......................................................................................... 22
4 Pointing devices and keyboard
Using pointing devices ....................................................................................................................... 23
Setting pointing device preferences ................................................................................... 23
Using the TouchPad .......................................................................................................... 23
Using TouchPad gestures ................................................................................. 23
Scrolling ............................................................................................ 24
Pinching ............................................................................................ 24
Rotating ............................................................................................ 24
Using the action keys ......................................................................................................................... 26
Using the hotkeys ............................................................................................................................... 28
Cleaning the TouchPad and keyboard ............................................................................................... 29
5 Multimedia
Multimedia features ............................................................................................................................ 30
Adjusting the volume ......................................................................................................... 30
Using the media activity keys ............................................................................................ 31
Multimedia software ........................................................................................................................... 32
Using HP MediaSmart software ......................................................................................... 32
Using multimedia software ................................................................................................. 32
Installing multimedia software from a disc ......................................................................... 33
Audio .................................................................................................................................................. 34
Connecting external audio devices .................................................................................... 34
Checking your audio functions ........................................................................................... 34
Using Beats Audio ............................................................................................................. 35
Video .................................................................................................................................................. 36
Connecting an external monitor or projector ..................................................................... 36
Connecting an HDMI device .............................................................................................. 37
Configuring audio for HDMI ............................................................................... 38
Webcam ............................................................................................................................................. 39
Webcam tips ...................................................................................................................... 39
Adjusting webcam properties ............................................................................................. 39
Using the ambient light sensor .......................................................................................................... 41
Using adaptive brightness ................................................................................................. 41
Using the webcam IR light ................................................................................................. 41
6 Power management
Setting power devices ........................................................................................................................ 43
Using power-saving states ................................................................................................. 43
Initiating and exiting Sleep ................................................................................ 43
Initiating and exiting Hibernation ....................................................................... 44
Conserving power .............................................................................................................. 44
Using the battery meter ..................................................................................................... 44
Using power plans ............................................................................................................. 45
Viewing the current power plan ......................................................................... 45
Selecting a different power plan ........................................................................ 45
Customizing power plans .................................................................................. 45
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Setting password protection on wakeup ............................................................................ 46
Using external AC power .................................................................................................................... 47
Connecting AC power ........................................................................................................ 47
Testing an AC adapter ....................................................................................................... 48
Using battery power ........................................................................................................................... 49
Identifying batteries ............................................................................................................ 49
Finding battery information in Help and Support ............................................................... 49
Using Battery Check .......................................................................................................... 49
Displaying the remaining battery charge ........................................................................... 50
Removing or inserting the primary battery ......................................................................... 50
Charging a battery ............................................................................................................. 51
Maximizing battery discharge time .................................................................................... 52
Managing low battery levels .............................................................................................. 52
Identifying low battery levels ............................................................................. 52
Resolving a low battery level ............................................................................. 53
Resolving a low battery level when external power is available ....... 53
Resolving a low battery level when a charged battery is
available ........................................................................................... 53
Resolving a low battery level when no power source is
available ........................................................................................... 53
Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit
Hibernation ....................................................................................... 53
Using the accessory battery (select models only) ............................................................. 53
Identifying the accessory battery components .................................................. 54
Inserting or removing an accessory battery ...................................................... 54
Battery charging and discharging sequence .................................................... 56
Calibrating a battery ........................................................................................................... 56
Storing a battery ................................................................................................................ 57
Disposing of a used battery ............................................................................................... 57
Replacing the battery ......................................................................................................... 57
Shutting down the computer ............................................................................................................... 58
7 Drives and external devices
Drives ................................................................................................................................................. 59
Identifying installed drives .................................................................................................. 59
Handling drives .................................................................................................................. 59
Improving hard drive performance ..................................................................................... 60
Using Disk Defragmenter .................................................................................. 60
Using Disk Cleanup ........................................................................................... 60
Using HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection (select models only) ................................. 61
Identifying HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection status ................................ 61
Managing power with a parked hard drive ........................................................ 61
Using HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection software ................................... 62
Using external drives ......................................................................................................... 62
Connecting optional external drives .................................................................. 62
Using the external optical drive (select models only) ......................................................... 63
Removing an optical disc when the disc tray will not open ............................... 63
Sharing optical drives ........................................................................................................ 64
External devices ................................................................................................................................. 66
Using a USB device ........................................................................................................... 66
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Connecting a USB device ................................................................................. 66
Removing a USB device ................................................................................... 66
Using an eSATA device ..................................................................................................... 67
Connecting an eSATA device ........................................................................... 67
Removing an eSATA device ............................................................................. 67
Using Digital Media Slot cards ........................................................................................... 68
Inserting a digital card ....................................................................................... 68
Removing a digital card ..................................................................................... 69
8 Memory modules
9 Security
Protecting the computer ..................................................................................................................... 75
Using passwords ................................................................................................................................ 76
Setting passwords in Windows .......................................................................................... 76
Setting passwords in Setup Utility ..................................................................................... 77
Administrator password ..................................................................................... 77
Managing an administrator password ............................................... 78
Entering an administrator password ................................................. 78
Power-on password .......................................................................................... 78
Managing a power-on password ...................................................... 79
Entering a power-on password ......................................................... 79
Using antivirus software ..................................................................................................................... 80
Using firewall software ....................................................................................................................... 81
Installing critical security updates ....................................................................................................... 82
Installing an optional security cable .................................................................................................... 83
Appendix A Setup Utility (BIOS)
Starting Setup Utility ........................................................................................................................... 84
Using Setup Utility .............................................................................................................................. 85
Changing the language of Setup Utility ............................................................................. 85
Navigating and selecting in Setup Utility ............................................................................ 85
Displaying system information ........................................................................................... 86
Restoring default settings in Setup Utility .......................................................................... 86
Exiting Setup Utility ............................................................................................................ 86
Setup Utility menus ............................................................................................................................ 87
Main menu ......................................................................................................................... 87
Security menu .................................................................................................................... 87
System Configuration menu .............................................................................................. 87
Diagnostics menu .............................................................................................................. 88
Updating the BIOS ............................................................................................................................. 89
Updating the BIOS ............................................................................................................. 89
Determining the BIOS version ........................................................................... 89
Downloading a BIOS update ............................................................................. 89
Appendix B Backup and recovery
Creating recovery discs ...................................................................................................................... 92
Backing up your information ............................................................................................................... 93
Using Windows Backup and Restore ................................................................................ 93
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Using system restore points .............................................................................................. 94
When to create restore points ........................................................................... 94
Create a system restore point ........................................................................... 94
Restore to a previous date and time ................................................................. 94
Performing a recovery ........................................................................................................................ 95
Recovering from the recovery discs .................................................................................. 95
Recovering from the dedicated recovery partition (select models only) ............................ 95
Appendix C RAID 0 (select models only)
Disabling RAID 0 ................................................................................................................................ 97
Index ................................................................................................................................................................... 98
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x

1 Notebook tour
Identifying hardware
To see a list of hardware installed in the computer:
▲Select Start >Control Panel >System and Security. Then in the System area, click Device
Manager.
You can also add hardware or modify device configurations using Device Manager.
NOTE: Windows® includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your computer.
You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing applications, running
utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Help and Support for more information.
Identifying hardware 1

Components
Top components
TouchPad
Component Description
TouchPad* Moves the pointer and selects or activates items on the screen.
*This table describes factory settings. To view and change pointing device preferences, select Start >Devices and Printers.
Then, right-click the device representing your computer, and select Mouse settings.
TouchPad buttons
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Component Description
(1) TouchPad on/off button Turns the TouchPad on and off. Lightly press the button and hold
for two seconds to turn the TouchPad on and off.
(2) Left TouchPad button* Functions like the left button on an external mouse.
(3) Right TouchPad button* Functions like the right button on an external mouse.
*This table describes factory settings. To view and change pointing device preferences, select Start >Devices and Printers.
Then, right-click the device representing your computer, and select Mouse settings.
Lights
Component Description
(1) TouchPad light ●Amber: The TouchPad is off.
●Off: The TouchPad is on.
(2) Caps lock light White: Caps lock is on.
(3) Power light ●White: The computer is on.
●Blinking white: The computer is in the Sleep state.
●Off: The computer is off or in Hibernation.
(4) Mute light Amber: Computer sound is off.
(5) Wireless light ●Off: An integrated wireless device, such as a wireless local
area network (WLAN) device and/or a Bluetooth® device,
is on.
NOTE: Wireless devices are enabled at the factory.
●Amber: All wireless devices are off.
Components 3

Button
Component Description
Power button ●When the computer is off, press the button to turn on the
computer.
●When the computer is on, press the button briefly to initiate
Sleep.
●When the computer is in the Sleep state, press the button
briefly to exit Sleep.
●When the computer is in Hibernation, press the button briefly
to exit Hibernation.
If the computer has stopped responding and Windows® shutdown
procedures are ineffective, press and hold the power button for at
least 5 seconds to turn off the computer.
To learn more about your power settings, select Start >Control
Panel >System and Security >Power Options.
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Keys
Component Description
(1) Action keys Execute frequently used system functions.
(2) wireless key Turns the wireless feature on or off.
NOTE: This key does not establish a wireless connection. To
establish a wireless connection, a wireless network must also be
set up.
(3) Windows application key Displays a shortcut menu for items beneath the cursor.
(4) Windows logo key Displays the Windows Start menu.
(5) fn key Executes frequently used system functions when pressed in
combination with a function key or the esc key.
(6) calculator key Opens the Windows calculator function.
(7) print options key Opens the Print Options window of the active Windows
application.
(8) Web key Opens a Web browser.
NOTE: Until you have set up your Internet or network services,
the Web key opens the Windows Internet Connection Wizard. After
you have set up your Internet or network services and your Web
browser home page, you can press the Web key to quickly access
your home page and the Internet.
(9) Media Launch key Opens HP MediaSmart. HP MediaSmart turns your computer into
a mobile entertainment center. You can enjoy music and movies
and manage and edit your photo collections.
(10) mail key Opens your default e-mail program.
Components 5

Component Description
NOTE: The first time you press the mail key, you may be
prompted to set up your e-mail account. After you have set up your
e-mail, you can press the mail key to quickly access your e-mail.
(11) esc key Displays system information when pressed in combination with the
fn key.
Front components
Component Description
(1) Vents (2) Enables airflow to cool internal components.
NOTE: The computer fan starts up automatically to cool internal
components and prevent overheating. It is normal for the internal
fan to cycle on and off during routine operation.
(2) Digital Media Slot Supports the following digital card formats:
●MultiMediaCard
●micro MultiMediaCard (adapter required)
●MultiMediaCard Plus
●Secure Digital Memory Card
●micro Secure Digital Memory Card (adapter required)
●Secure Digital High Capacity Memory Card
Right-side components
Component Description
(1) Speaker Produces sound.
(2) Security cable slot Attaches an optional security cable to the computer.
NOTE: The security cable is designed to act as a deterrent,
but it may not prevent the computer from being mishandled or
stolen.
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Component Description
(3) Audio-out (headphone) jack/Audio-in
(microphone) jack
Produces sound when connected to optional powered stereo
speakers, headphones, earbuds, a headset, or television
audio. Also connects an optional headset microphone.
NOTE: When a device is connected to the jack, the device
speakers are disabled.
(4) eSATA/USB port Connects a high-performance eSATA component, such as an
eSATA external hard drive, or connects an optional USB
device.
(5) USB ports (2) Connect optional USB devices.
(6) HDMI port Connects an optional video or audio device, such as a high-
definition television, or any compatible digital or audio
component.
(7) RJ-45 (network) jack Connects a network cable.
(8) Vent Enables airflow to cool internal components.
NOTE: The computer fan starts up automatically to cool
internal components and prevent overheating. It is normal for
the internal fan to cycle on and off during routine operation.
Left-side components
Component Description
(1) Battery light ●Off: The computer is running on battery power.
●Blinking amber: The battery has reached a low battery level,
a critical battery level, or there is a battery error.
●Amber: A battery is charging.
●White: The computer is connected to external power and the
battery is fully charged.
(2) Power connector Connects an AC adapter.
(3) Vent Enables airflow to cool internal components.
NOTE: The computer fan starts up automatically to cool internal
components and prevent overheating. It is normal for the internal
fan to cycle on and off during routine operation.
Components 7

Component Description
(4) Drive light ●Blinking white: The hard drive is being accessed.
●Amber (select models only): HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive
Protection has temporarily parked the hard drive.
(5) Speaker Produces sound.
Bottom components
Component Description
(1) Vents (4) Enable airflow to cool internal components.
NOTE: The computer fan starts up automatically to cool
internal components and prevent overheating. It is normal for
the internal fan to cycle on and off during routine operation.
(2) Battery bay Holds the primary battery.
NOTE: The primary battery is preinstalled in the battery bay
at the factory.
(3) Battery lock Locks the primary battery inside the battery bay.
(4) Memory module compartment Holds the memory modules.
(5) Accessory battery connector Connects an optional accessory battery.
(6) Battery release latch Releases the primary battery from the battery bay.
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Display components
Component Description
(1) Ambient light sensor Adjusts the screen brightness levels automatically, based on
surrounding lighting conditions.
(2) Internal microphones (2) Record sound.
(3) Webcam light On: The webcam is in use.
(4) Webcam infrared (IR) light Improves the webcam picture quality in low-light conditions.
(5) Webcam Records video and captures still photographs.
(6) Internal display switch Turns off the display and initiates Sleep if the display is closed while
the power is on.
NOTE: The internal display switch is not visible from the outside
of the computer.
Wireless antennas
The computer has 2 antennas that send and receive signals from one or more wireless devices. These
antennas are not visible from the outside of the computer.
Components 9

NOTE: For optimal transmission, keep the areas immediately around the antennas free from
obstructions.
To see wireless regulatory notices, refer to the section of the Regulatory, Safety and Environmental
Notices that applies to your country or region. These notices are located in Help and Support.
Additional hardware components
Component Description
(1) Power cord* Connects the AC adapter.
(2) AC adapter Converts AC power to DC power.
*Power cords vary in appearance by region and country.
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